One of Cornwall’s most picturesque towns is set to get its first supermarket after councillors granted planning permission. 

Fowey will be the new location for a Co-op store after plans to build a shop on land at Polscoe were approved.

Cornwall Council’s central sub-area planning committee approved the plans when they met this morning going along with planning officers’ recommendations. 

The plans had been objected to by Fowey Town Council which had been concerned about the impact the development could have on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

However, local Cornwall councillor Andy Virr, supported the plans and said that it would prevent people in Fowey having to travel further afield to get their food shopping. He said that they would currently have to go to Par, St Blazey or St Austell and for most people this would mean using their cars.

He said: “Does Fowey need a supermarket? I would say a firm yes, we have a population of 2,500 and there is a very limited offering in the town.” 

Cllr Virr explained that whilst there was a small grocer’s shop and a butcher’s in the town there was nowhere you could get a full food shop.

Cllr Virr said that there had been an increase in housing in Fowey “which has been welcomed” and said that there had been housing estates built very close to the proposed site of the new shop. He said that this meant that for a lot of people it would be possible to walk to the new store.

He said that when building new homes for the town it was also important to provide the amenities that residents would require and that a new Co-op would address some of that need.

Cllr Virr said that there was also no viable alternative site for a supermarket and said that the brownfield alternative which had been put forward by some objectors was still occupied and was not for sale. He also added that it would be further out from the town and so people would still have to drive to access it.

On the issue of the site being in the AONB, Cllr Virr highlighted that “the whole of Fowey” was in the AONB and said that this should not prevent required development from going ahead. He said he felt that the benefits of the scheme would outweigh any harm caused.

Committee member John Fitter said that for most people in Fowey they would require travelling to St Austell for a “big shop” and that having a supermarket nearby would reduce journeys.

He added: “This store will give a greater choice of food and goods which can only be a good thing for the people of Fowey. This isn’t going to be carving out a piece of Fowey – it will not be damaged in any way by having this built on the outskirts of the town.”

The committee voted in favour of granting planning permission with nine votes in favour and two against.